A39669:2101
The Method of Grace
The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mystery of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...The method of grace, in bringing home the eternal redemption contrived by the Father, and accomplished by the Son through the effectual application of the spirit unto God's elect, being the second part of Gospel redemption : wherein the great mysterie of our union and communion with Christ is opened and applied, unbelievers invited, false pretenders convicted, every mans claim to Christ examined, and the misery of Christless persons discovered and bewailed / by John Flavell ...
London: printed by M. White for Francis Tyton, 1681
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Eighthly, The new creature is an active and laborious creature: no sooner it is born, but it is acting in the soul, Acts 9. 6. behold he prayeth; activity is its very nature, Gal. 5. 25. If we live in the spirit, let us walk in the spirit. Nor is it to be admired that it should be always active and stirring in the soul, seeing activity in obedience was the very end for which it was created, for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, Eph. 2. 10. and he that is acted in the duties of Religion by this principle of the new creature or nature, will (so far as that principle acts him) delight to do the will of God; rejoice in the way of his Commandments; and find the sweetest pleasure in the paths of duty.
Ninthly, The new creature is a thriving creature, growing from strength to strength, 1 Pet. 2. 2. and changing the soul in which it is subjected from glory unto glory, 2 Cor. 3. 18. The vigorous tendencies and constant strivings of this new creature is to attain its just perfection and maturity; Phil. 3. 11. it can endure no stints and limits to its desires short of perfection: every degree of strength it attains, doth but whet and sharpen his desires after higher degrees: upon this account it greatly delights in the Ordinances of God, Duties of Religion and Society of the Saints; as they are helps and improvements to it in order to its great design.